Malin Akerman to play Debbie Harry in CBGB

The actress joins a cast including Alan Rickman and Rupert Grint in the movie which tells the story of New York City nightspot CBGB - Country, BlueGrass, and Blues - and its impact on the underground music scene.

Blondie were regulars at the club - which had a rule saying bands could not play cover versions - before and after they earned commercial success following their debut album in 1976.

The venue shut in 2006 in a dispute over rent, and owner Hilly Kristal [Rickman] died a year later - but a series of CBGB -branded festivals still take place in New York.

Randall Miller will direct the project, and he co-wrote the script with Jody Savin, who believes Alan possesses some similarities to Hilly.

He said in a statement: ''We wrote this role for Alan Rickman who, like Hilly Kristal, is a true champion of the arts.''

Malin will next appear on the big screen in 'Rock of Ages' in which she plays a reporter covering Tom Cruise's character Stacee Jaxx.